Anti-lockdown protests in the UK
UK: Nine cops injured as Square and Park bombarded by thousands of maskless protesters
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Nine police officers were injured and sixteen people were arrested
According to The Guardian, police have broken up a protest in central London after thousands of people defied their advice and demonstrated against lockdowns, mass vaccinations, mandatory wearing of face masks and other coronavirus restrictions.
The protest, organised by campaign groups including Save Our Rights UK, was called to mark six months since the passage of the Coronavirus Act, which gave the government wide-ranging powers to enact restrictions intended to curb the spread of the virus.
Protesters began gathering from about midday, with the first speaker saying the demonstration was meant to be peaceful, and that it had been negotiated beforehand with the Metropolitan police, with a full health and safety impact assessment filed in advance.
Crowds in Trafalgar Square have not complied with the conditions of their risk assessment and are putting people in danger of transmitting the virus. Photo: Twitter. |
However, at about 3pm, the Met said the crowds had not “complied with the conditions of their risk assessment and are putting people in danger of transmitting the virus”.
They said the protesters must leave: “By leaving now, you can keep yourself safe and avoid any enforcement action being taken by officers.”
Officers waded in to break up part of the crowd and seize the sound system just before 3pm and used batons against protesters, leaving some bleeding with visible head injuries.
One woman falls as protesters clashed with policeCredit: AFP |
The Met said 16 people were arrested “for a variety of offences”. Nine police officers were injured.
After officers intervened, many protesters moved to Hyde Park, but police said they also did not have permission to be there in such numbers. At 4.30pm, dozens of officers began advancing on the newly formed crowds. Police soon declared it an illegal gathering.
"My body, my choice"
Crowds who flouted social distancing rules chanted "pick your side" and "we do not consent" at officers who seized their sound system in Trafalgar Square this afternoon, The Sun revealed.
Piers Corbyn, 73, the brother of the former Labour party leader Jeremy, was seen punching the air as he addresses thousands of demonstrators.
Demonstrators and police faced off today in Trafalgar SquareCredit: London News Pictures |
A man with a blood pouring from his head faces off with officers Credit: London News Pictures |
Conspiracy theorist David Icke, was also seen joining the masses gathered. Protesters waved banners and placards with messages such as "this is now tyranny" and "my body, my choice".
Others compared a potential coronavirus vaccine to "cyanide" and quotes from Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.
And one large banner simply read, "no more lies, no more masks, no more lockdown". It came as the UK recorded its highest ever Saturday total of cases with 6,042, amid warnings the daily death toll could soon reach triple figures.
The Europe's worst death toll country from Covid-19 pandemic
According to Los Angeles Times, Britain has Europe’s worst death toll from the pandemic, with over 42,000 confirmed deaths tied to COVID-19. New infections, hospitalizations and deaths have all risen sharply in recent weeks.
A policeman with his head in bandages is helped away by colleaguesCredit: EPA |
The protester's helmet almost comes off in the clashesCredit: London News Pictures |
In addition to the nationwide COVID-19 rules, several jurisdictions have imposed tighter restrictions to control local spikes in the disease. By Monday, about one-quarter of the UK’s 65 million people will be living under these heightened restrictions.
London, home to almost 9 million people, was added to the British government’s COVID-19 watchlist Friday as an “area of concern.” That means the UK capital also could face new restrictions if infections continue to rise in the city.
Protests erupt while a third of Brits could refuse a life-saving Covid-19 vaccine and feared more lockdowns
Protests come as a third of Brits could refuse a life-saving Covid-19 vaccine because of warped conspiracy theories peddled online, a poll has found.
But scientists say some 82 per cent of Brits will need to get immunised to stop the killer bug in its tracks. The YouGov poll of 1,663 people found that 31 per cent either “will” refuse to get the jab, or are unsure about getting one.
Many came to protest against having the vaccineCredit: Alamy Live News |
Protesters wave a banner saying 'no more lockdown'Credit: EPA |
Among those who mainly get their news from social media sites the figure soared to a whopping 38 per cent. Anti-vax conspiracy theorists have a staggering 57 million followers online across the UK and US, it's been reported.
Outlandish lies, including claims Bill Gates created the pandemic and that vaccines cause Covid-19, have been posted on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
In addition to the nationwide COVID-19 rules, several jurisdictions have imposed tighter restrictions to control local spikes in the disease. By Monday, about one-quarter of the UK’s 65 million people will be living under these heightened restrictions, Tasnim News Agency reported.
A bloody man next to a sign warning of a "New World Order"Credit: Getty Images - Getty |
London, home to almost 9 million people, was added to the British government’s COVID-19 watchlist Friday as an “area of concern.” That means the UK capital also could face new restrictions if infections continue to rise in the city.
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